WAGHAI

49 km from Saputara begins the town of
Waghai around which many delightful tourist spots are situated. The drive
itself is scenic and the air pure and refreshing.

PRIME ATTRACTIONSGira
Falls: One km off the Saputara-Waghai Road, leads to a vast clearing
where the picturesque Gira Falls emerging from the Kapri tributary can be
viewed. An absolute must from June to November. Visitors can get
refreshments from a small tea and snack stall. Picnic huts make it an
ideal spot for relaxing and picnicking.

Botanical Garden: There is a large (24 hectare) garden with 1,400
varieties of plants from all over India. The amateur nature lover can
marvel at different varieties of bamboo like the Chinese bamboo, Golden
bamboo, Beer Bottle bamboo etc. and enjoy strolling along the beautiful
walkways each lined with different species of tree.

Visitors can also pick up cactus plants and enjoy a picnic at the picnic
spot in the garden. Permission is required to enter. Drinking water and
toilet facilities are available.

EXCURSIONS
Unnai Mata Temple And Hot Springs: A drive of about 19 kms from Waghai
brings one to the Unnai Mata Temple. Visitors can bathe in the hot spring
attached to this famous temple of considerable historical significance.

Vanil Udyog: A sprawling sawmill cum woodworking unit, which also
sells furniture that the tourist can book and get delivered by paying an
advance. The visitor can enjoy a guided tour and watch the transformation
of logs of wood into tasteful furniture.

Permission is required to enter. Vanil Udyog provides employees to assist
as tour guides. Drinking water facilities are available.

Vansda
National Park: A rich and old forest, predominantly covered by
very tall teak trees, mango groves and gigantic creepers. The forest is
extremely dense and some parts are dark even during normal daytime. The
forest is a habitat of monkeys, deer, a few leopards and a wide species of
birds. Permission is required to enter the park.

Ambapada: A typical Dangi village located about 1 km off the
Saputara-Waghai Road, near the Gira Falls. The route to it is somewhat
tricky but very scenic as it is surrounded on all sides by lush and tall
bamboos. The tourist can take a walk in and around the village and also
see some tribals engaged in the making of toys and lamps out of bamboo
roots.

The circuit has numerous wayside tea and biscuit stalls and also small
wayside dhabas near Waghai.

TRAVEL INFORMATIONHOW TO GET THERE Air: Nearest airport is located at
Mumbai
.

Rail: Nearest railway station is Waghai, on the Billimora-Waghai
narrow gauge section of the Western Railway. For those coming from Gujarat
via Surat or Ahmedabad or even from Mumbai, Billimora is the most
convenient rail head as direct bus service is available from there.

Road: State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect
various centres of Gujarat
and Maharashtra
. It is located approximately 400 kms. from
Ahmedabad
.

SHOPPING
A small private outlet selling locally crafted items fashioned out of
bamboo roots and chips. Unique items like the big sized bamboo lamps,
kangaroos, deer are available only here and not elsewhere in the region.